State Rep. Carol Sente, D-Vernon Hills, passed legislation out of the House Executive Committee on Thursday that will allow 17-year-olds who are registered to vote to serve as deputy registrars and to sign and circulate candidate petitions.

"It is important that we continue to work to get more young adults engaged in the political process," Sente said. "Now that many 17-year-olds are eligible to vote, it only makes sense that they should also be able to register others to vote and to assist candidates that they support."

House Bill 6167, which Sente introduced in the House, is a follow up to her "Suffrage at 17" legislation that was signed into law in 2013 and allows 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they will be 18 by the general election in November. The measure allows 17-year-olds who are registered to vote to serve as deputy registrars, to circulate or sign candidate petitions, and to vote in a township caucus or primary as long as they will be 18 years old on the date of the corresponding election.

"Increasing civic engagement is important, especially for young adults, and it helps voters make more informed decisions," Sente added. "I look forward to supporting future measures that aim to increase our youth's participation in democracy and government."

For more information, please contact Sente's full-time constituent service office at 847-478-9909, or e-mail RepSente@gmail.com.

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